Additional Name(s): Seymur Afqan oglu Mammadov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 1 Year's Suspended Sentence
Sentence: Originally 9 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/22/2022
Date of Sentencing: September/22/2022
Date of Release: December/12/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service
Seymur Mammadov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.
On September 22, 2022, the Goranboy District Court sentenced Mammadov to nine months in prison for "evasion without the lawful grounds from next appeal on military service or from an appeal on mobilization, with a purpose of evasion from serving in military" (Art. 321.1 ACC). Mammadov had refused to serve in the military after being summoned for military duty in May 2022. Mammadov was taken into custody following the verdict.
On December 12, 2022, an appeals court overturned Mammadov's imprisonment and instead imposed a one year suspended sentence. He was released following the verdict.
Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses
"Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector's jail term changed to suspended sentence" Forum 18
USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper and Nury Turkel, Tweet, October 4, 2022
"Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector jailing 'very unexpected decision'" Forum 18
Additional Name(s): Sepehr Ziyaei, سپهر ضیائی
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/24/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Sepehr Ziaee is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On September 24, 2022, authorities in Tehran arrested Ziaee reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i.
In January 2023, it was reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ziaee to five years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).
In March 2023, it was reported that Ziaee's sentence had been upheld.
Ziaee's health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison. His hearing capabilities have diminished following a medical issue with his ear. Reports indicate he was partially treated for the issue but that treatment ended prematurely.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"SEPEHR ZIAEI" United For Iran
"دادگاه تجدیدنظر؛ سپهر ضیائی، شهروند بهائی به حبس محکوم شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Iranian Baha'i Handed Five Years In Prison For His Faith" IranWire
"سپهر ضیایی به اتهام بهایی بودن به پنج سال حبس محکوم شد" IranWire
"پیام ولی و سپهر ضیائی، شهروندان بهائی بازداشت شدند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): پیام ولی
Gender: Male
Current Location: Qezalhasar Prison, Karaj
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 16 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/24/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Online Activity Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition
Payam Vali is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On September 24, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Vali reportedly in relation to his being Baha'i. Security officers reportedly beat him during the arrest as well as his son.
In December 2022, it was reported that authorities had accused Vali of "propaganda against the system through the propagation of the Baha'i faith, propaganda against the holy Islamic law, communication and cooperation with foreign media through interviews and sending news of human rights violations and inciting people to create ongoing protests through the virtual space." Accusations are reportedly in relation to Vali's communications about Baha'i persecution. Vali has also reportedly been denied phone calls to his family and access to a lawyer.
In February 2023, it was reported that the Alborz Revolutionary Court had sentenced to ten years in prison for “collaboration with hostile countries,” five years for “inciting people to commit violence,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also reportedly imposed a two-year travel ban and two years of exile in Yasuj county.
On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals reduced Vali's sentence to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Vali is expected to serve six years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.
In July 2023, it was reported that the Karaj Revolutionary Court had accused Vali of “spreading falsehood on the Internet through the dissemination of unlawful content.”
"PAYAM VALI" United For Iran
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in Iran September 2023
USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck, Tweet, July 19, 2023
"Baha’i Citizen Payam Vali Face New Charge While Imprisoned" Iran Press Watch
"Jail Time Reduced for Baha’i but False Charges Remain" Iran Wire
"Bahai Citizen Payam Vali Sentenced to Nine Years and Nine Months in Prison" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
USCIRF Commissioners Sharon Kleinbaum and Abraham Cooper, Tweet, March 1, 2023
ARAM Iran, Tweet, February 26, 2023
"Baha’i Citizen Payam Vali Sentenced to 16 Years" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"پیام ولی، شهروند بهائی به شانزده سال حبس و مجازات های تکمیلی محکوم شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"تداوم بازداشت و بلاتکلیفی پیام ولی، شهروند بهائی در زندان قزلحصار کرج" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"پیام ولی و سپهر ضیائی، شهروندان بهائی بازداشت شدند" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)